Piper PA-18-150 N7483L

Summary

On 9 May 1999 at about 21:20 local time, a Piper PA-18-150 registered N7483L was involved in an accident near Salem, Oregon, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

9 May 1999 at 21:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Salem, Oregon, United States

Coordinates

45.0097, -122.9108

Aircraft

Piper PA-18-150

Registration

N7483L

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA99LA056

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's improper decision not to apply carburetor heat during a reduced power descent in conditions conducive to carburetor icing. Factors include weather conditions conducive to carburetor icing, and high vegetation and a fence post in the area where the forced landing was attempted.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot, who had been cleared for a straight-in approach, began a reduced-power descent from approximately 2000 feet above ground level (AGL) while about five miles from the runway. About half way through the descent, the pilot retarded the throttle to idle but did not apply carburetor heat. When he reached 400 feet AGL, the pilot realized he was getting too low on the approach, so he pushed the throttle forward in order to add power and arrest his descent. Upon moving the throttle forward, the engine did not respond. The pilot then applied full carburetor heat, but he could not get the engine to restart. It was ultimately determined that his descent had been made under conditions where severe carburetor icing could be expected at glide power. Although the PA-18 Owners Handbook did not call for the use of carburetor heat during all approaches, it did require it when '... icing conditions prevail.'

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.